Ferrari confirm if Charles Leclerc will be allowed to race Sebastian Vettel at Bahrain, in an interview released by Binotto.
Charles Leclerc secured his first pole position in Bahrain today, as he outdrove the entire grid to make it a memorable grand prix for himself and Ferrari.
Leclerc and Vettel locked in the first row for Ferrari, with the Mercedes boys slotting behind them. Now, going into turn 1, Vettel and Leclerc could be involved in a wheel-to-wheel battle, one that could have the Ferrari pitwall on the edge of their seats.
Ferrari did sort of use ‘team orders’ in Australia, when they asked Leclerc to stay behind Vettel, who at that time was struggling to extract pace from his car.
Speaking about the Bahrain GP, Ferrari boss Binotto has confirmed that Leclerc will not have to surrender his position to Vettel and is allowed to carry on as he deems fit.
However, Binotto confirmed that he wouldn’t want to see his drivers fighting each other on track and taking any unnecessary risks.
“Charles is allowed to go as fast as he can, he is allowed to try to go for pole, he is allowed to try to stay ahead and we’re not stopping him doing that,” said Binotto.
“But I think it’s important that our two drivers are not fighting and taking any risks and crashing together. No doubt that if the first lap Charles is ahead he will stay, if at the end of the race he is ahead he will stay ahead.” he added.
Binotto was also asked to clarify the Australia team orders and why they were brought into use.
“I think it was not a hard decision because I think that the way we are managing those situations are clear with the drivers and are clear before the race,” Binotto said as quoted by Racefans.
“I think Sebastian was ahead 10 laps to go, we hold the positions, we didn’t take any risk, we think that is the right approach. Both drivers are aware. I think that has been not a hard decision in that respect.” he concluded.
Do you see Charles Leclerc winning tomorrow in Bahrain?
